July 16, 2024 City Council Meeting

Announcements

• 📅 Cops and Bobbers Event: The annual Cops and Bobbers event will be held on July 20th from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM at Buck Thomas Park. Fishing gear will be available, and children are encouraged to learn how to fish.
• 📅 OML Conference: The annual Oklahoma Municipal League (OML) conference is scheduled for September 10th, 11th, and 12th in Tulsa. Council members interested in attending for a day or more should contact Brooks.
• Senator Langford Visit: Senator Langford and his staff visited the city to discuss local and national issues, committing to support the City of Moore.
• Big Trash Pickup: Scheduling for big trash pickup is currently about a week out due to high demand.

Public Comments

Backyard Chickens Discussion

The Council received a staff report outlining potential issues with backyard chickens, such as strain on animal control resources, and opened the floor for public comments. Several citizens spoke in favor of allowing backyard hens:

• Chelsea Mclain (2945 Woodlawn Drive) highlighted that surrounding cities (Oklahoma City, Norman, Midwest City, Del City, Edmond) allow backyard hens with various regulations (coops, no roosters, locked at night). She emphasized the completion of Moore's new animal shelter, the quiet nature of hens, and the benefits for food security and nutrition, especially with rising grocery inflation.
• Jordan (126 Platt Lane) argued against denying all citizens the right to hens due to potential mishandling by a few. She suggested solutions like requiring permits with educational components (similar to Edmond), fundraising for chicken coops at the animal control center, and seeking support from non-profit animal sanctuaries for rehoming. She also noted benefits like sustainable food, pest control, and mental health.
• Maureen Stockton (3308 Pin Oak Road), a new resident, expressed disappointment at not being able to homestead with chickens, noting the illogical reasons often cited (noise, irresponsible owners) when compared to other pets like dogs and cats.
• Christian Hodgton (126 Platt Lane) discussed the growing trend of backyard chicken ownership across the U.S., emphasizing its role in cultural cohesion and building knowledge for future generations.
• Chantre Langford (1213 Northeast Third Street), a former vet tech, stated that chicken ownership is an expensive commitment, implying that those who invest will do so responsibly.
• Kaylen Winn (1513 Eagle Drive) shared a personal story about her child's positive transformation through a farm school experience with animals, including chickens, advocating for the opportunity to foster independence in children.
• Kim Bodlin (2317 Northeast 18th Street), from the military, supported the previous speaker, noting that farm kids often exhibit a stronger work ethic.

Outcome: The Council received the staff report and public comments for discussion only. No vote was taken on the matter. Council members encouraged citizens to contact them directly with further thoughts.

Citizens Forum: Traffic and Infrastructure Concerns

• Tommy Lawrence (236 Northeast Third Street) addressed concerns about increased traffic on Turner Avenue (north of Main Street) due to drivers attempting to bypass train blockages. He requested the city's traffic department to investigate placing signage on Main Street (facing east) to inform drivers that Turner Avenue does not provide an alternative through-route to avoid the train, as it leads to dead ends or back to Main Street. He also requested attention to street and sidewalk improvements in the Ward 2 neighborhood, particularly for the growing elderly population.

Key Decisions & Votes

• Consent Docket (City Council): Items A through D were approved.
• Consent Docket (Moore Public Works Authority): Items A and B were approved.
• Consent Docket (Moore Risk Management): Items A and B were approved.
• Consent Docket (Moore Economic Development Authority): Item A was approved.

Financial Matters 💰

• General Obligation Bonds of 2024 Award: Resolution number 8224, awarding $7,220,000 in City of Moore General Obligation Bonds of 2024 for street projects to the bidder with the lowest interest cost, was approved.
• Issuance of General Obligation Bonds of 2024: Resolution number 8324, providing for the issuance of $7,220,000 in General Obligation Bonds of 2024 for street projects, was approved.
• Moore Economic Development Authority Indebtedness Approval: Resolution number 8824, approving the incurrence of indebtedness by the Moore Economic Development Authority for up to $5,900,000 through its Sales Tax Revenue Note, Series 2024, for Municipal Capital Improvements (including land purchase, City Hall remodel, Fire Station #1 expansion, additional fire engine, and Cleveland Heights property), was approved. This was a companion item to MPWA Resolution 26924 and MEDA Resolution 2824.
• 2024 Annual Action Plan for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program: Resolution number 8024, adopting the 2024 Annual Action Plan for the CDBG program and authorizing submission to HUD, was approved. The plan allocates $345,997 (plus rollover funds) for administration, fair housing services, public services (Meals on Wheels, counseling, food pantry, utility/rental assistance), an emergency repair program, and a sewer line rehabilitation project in Regency Park.
• GIS Improvements Grant Application: Resolution number 8124, authorizing the City to submit a grant application to the Oklahoma 911 Management Authority for $69,540 for GIS improvements to meet Next Generation 911 standards, was approved.
• John Deere Compact Track Loader Purchase: The budget purchase of a John Deere 333P compact track loader with attachments for $124,400 for Streets and Drainage/Public Works was approved.
• Trash Truck Purchases:
  • Budget purchase of two Battle LET2 Crane Carrier cab and chassis with CNG fueled engines for $429,826 was approved.
  • Budget purchase of two Healey DPF Python 33-yard full eject style refuse compactor bodies for $590,000 was approved. These are companion items for two new trash trucks.
• Sanitation Routing Software Purchase: Approval of a master software service agreement and budget purchase of routing software from Rubicon Global LLC for $34,578 (first year of a five-year subscription) for the Sanitation Division was approved. This software aims to digitize and optimize routes, improve efficiency, and enhance customer service.

Key Decisions & Votes (Continued)

• Lamar Advertising Relocation and Lease Agreement: Approval of a 20-year relocation and lease agreement with Lamar Advertising for a new billboard location on the south side of 19th Street, west of the I-35 southbound ramp, was approved. This agreement was necessary after the previous billboard easement was purchased for the new animal shelter construction. The City will not receive revenue for the first 20 years but has an option for $5,000/year if the agreement is renewed.
• Southeast 4th Street BNSF Railroad Underpass Final Plan Amendment: Amendment number three in the amount of $550,000 to the agreement with Poe and Associates for engineering and drafting services was approved. This amendment covers additional costs due to legal support for right-of-way, signal upgrades at Broadway and 4th Street, a hydraulic report for BNSF, and significant redesigns (including a shoofly for 88 mph train speeds) required by updated O. standards and BNSF coordination.
• Telephone Road NEPA Checklist Amendment: Amendment number one in the amount of $10,000 to the Freeze and Nickels agreement for completion of the O. local government NEPA checklist and additional O. requirements for the reconstruction of Telephone Road (SW 19th St to SW 34th St) project was approved. This is due to the project receiving approximately $6.7 million in federal/state funding, requiring environmental review.
• Northwest 27th Street and Child's Boulevard NEPA Checklist Amendment: Amendment number one in the amount of $8,200 to the TIM Design PLC agreement for completion of the O. local government NEPA checklist and additional O. requirements for the reconstruction of the NW 27th Street and Child's Boulevard intersection project was approved. This is due to the project receiving approximately $3.5 million in federal/state funding, requiring environmental review.
• Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) and Records Management System (RMS) Consulting Proposal: Approval of a proposal from Science Consulting in the amount of $99,650 for professional consulting services to identify and select a new CAD and RMS for police, fire, and dispatch, was approved.
• Planning Commission Appointments: The appointment of David Jennings, Zane White Church, and David Welchel to serve three-year terms on the Planning Commission was approved.
• Police Standards Administrator Job Description: Approval of a new job description for Police Standards Administrator in the Police Department and assignment to pay grade 109 was approved. This position will focus on policy, procedures, accreditation, and audits.
• Parks and Cemetery Horticulture Worker 2 Job Description: Approval of a new job description for Parks and Cemetery Horticulture Worker 2 in the Parks and Recreation Department and assignment to pay grade 109 was approved. This position will lead a small crew for park, cemetery, and facility beautification and maintenance.

Agenda Summary Table